Officials said Thursday that the Division of Family and Children Services is responding to a request from Gov Nathan Deal to apply for a U.S. Department of Agriculture waiver to expedite applications for about 2,700 clients.

Department officials say staffers will work to ensure tax dollars are only being spent on clients who are eligible for the services. Agency officials have cited understaffing, outdated technology and a substandard call center as contributing factors to a case backlog.

Federal officials earlier this month threatened to cut up to $76 million in administrative funding as early as May 1 if the state doesn't improve its food stamp system.

The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners (BOC) recently signed a Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), five years after an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) audit of county facilities.